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NSSF is pleased to announce the release of the 2016 Industry Intelligence Report on the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF). SSSF promotes youth development in the shooting sports, with its Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) arm focusing on sporting clays, trap and skeet and the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) working with action pistol and rifle sports.

The 2016 Industry Intelligence Report on the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation reports on the findings of a recent research project that examined the demographics, shooting habits and spending habits of those youths enrolled in the program in 2015. Indicative of the program’s success and its importance to the continued viability of the shooting industry as a whole, some of the most important findings from the report include:

From 2013 to 2015 the number of youth athletes participating in SASP grew 49 percent; growth in SCTP since the program’s inception in 2001 is an impressive 1,682 percent, with current participant numbers standing at nearly 12,500.
93 percent of SCTP parents surveyed said that the program had had a positive influence on their children; 52 percent said they saw their child’s grades improve after participating SSSF programs.

Free FN-Branded Gear and Magpul Accessories for Qualifying PurchasesFN America, LLC announces the launch of a spring consumer promotion to offer free accessories for qualifying purchases of FN 15™ modern sporting rifles, FNS™ and FNX™ pistols. The spring Free Gear promotion starts on April 1, 2016 and is valid through June 30, 2016.

Customers who purchase an eligible model FN 15™ modern sporting rifle will receive a package of Magpulaccessories to completely kit out their rifle, including a Magpul-signature MOE® grip, set of M-LOK™ rail covers, M-LOK angled light mount, and two (2) 30-round PMAG™ 30 AR/M4 Gen M3™ magazines (retail value $119.00). Read more

When John T. Thompson first began researching a portable hand-held automatic weapon in 1915 little did he know that he would be changing history forever. Now, 100 years later, the Thompson semi-automatic rifle, also referred to as the Chicago Typewriter, is commonly known to everyone across the globe.John T. Thompson was born in Newport, Kentucky on December 31, 1860. His father, a graduate of West Point, served as Lt. Colonel during the civil war and, John, following in his father’s footsteps, also graduated from West Point and served in the Army. It was while he was in the Army that Thompson went to engineering and artillery schools and began researching small arms. He was later assigned to the Army Ordnance Department in 1890 as a 2nd Lieutenant and was responsible for arming and dispersing of weapons during the Spanish-American war. Read more

By Ashley Brugnone, CMP WriterAfter a brief hiatus, the CMP Custom Shop is happy to announce that it will begin to accept new work orders beginning April 1, 2016. To place an order, please call (256) 835-8455 ext. 513, 514 or 540 AFTER 7:00 a.m. on April 1 to leave your name and phone number. Orders can also be sent by email to jcoppock@thecmp.org. Any orders received before 7:00 a.m. will not be taken. All orders will be accepted according to the time stamp they were received. Read more